Didactic apparatus providing for tutelage of responses through inculcation

Abstract

My present invention relates to didactic apparatus as particularly adapted to the tutelage of mathematical fundamentals, multiple choice statements, and the like. A set of inexpensive instructional problem or "flash" cards is prepared for the student for use in conjunction with, and as an essential part of my invention. Each interrogative card in the set contains a problem statement in student readable form, together with a machine readable cryptogrammic answer for the problem. As each problem card is methodically inserted into my didactic machine, the machine elements interpret the answer cryptogram, while the instructional problem remains visable to the student. The student summarily provides a response by inserting his separately selected answer elements from another set of answer cards which, in a way similar to the problem cards, have the plainly visible response elements clearly inscribed on each card, together with a machine readable code or cryptogram for each response element. As the answer cards are individually inserted into the machine operator, the answer card cryptograms are electronically compared with the problem card cryptogram and should they match, it means the student has entered the correct answer resulting in a student "correct answer" signal. Conversely, a non-coincident match may produce a "wrong answer" signal. Further embodiments of my invention include trial advance, scorekeeping, "answer too big" or "answer too small" visual indications, and sonant indications.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. Didactic means adapted for providing essentially a disjunctive problem entry and answer response entry effect thereby providing a student directed learning experience, comprising in operative combination: i. a set of substantially planar interrogative elements with each element therewith provided individually having thereon at least a first symbolic stimuli which is presented as an effectively visible problem to the student for tutorial consideration, together with a first cryptogrammic code identity corresponding to the said first symbolic stimuli which is machine readable by noncontiguous means and results in an effective indication of the requisite student response;   ii. a set of substantially planar responser elements with at least one element selectable therefrom having second symbolic stimuli presented thereon which substantially serves as an effectively visible answer component which is correlative with the said individual interrogative element problem put to the student, together with a second cryptogrammic code identity corresponding to the said second symbolic stimuli which is machine readable by noncontiguous means and results in an effective indication of the response selection;   iii. an interrogative element sensor station means comprising a substantially separate stationary sensing element means for each cryptogrammic code element which is effectively recipient for the purpose of converting the said first cryptogrammic code identity representations on the said interrogative element into a plurality of effectively parallel first functional electical signals;   iv. a responser element sensor station means comprising a substantially separate stationary sensing element means for each cryptogrammic code element which is effectively recipient for the purpose of converting the said second cryptogrammic code identity representations on at least one said responser element into a plurality of effectively parallel second functional electrical signals;   v. processing logic means arranged as an effectual combination of electrical devices suited for the correlative manipulation and comparison of the said first and said second functional electical signals effectively coupled thereto as provided by the said sensor station means; and,   vi. indication means coupled with the said processing logic unit to signal and thereby score the student as to the exactitude of his/her selected responser element answer.   
     
     
       2. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said planar elements comprise a card-like supportive medium, upon which the said symbolic stimuli and the associated cryptogrammic stimuli are supported essentially by at least one surface thereof, having been mechanically applied thereto. 
     
     
       3. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said planar elements comprise a card-like supportive medium, upon which the said symbolic stimuli is supported essentially by at least one surface thereof, having been mechanically applied thereto; and wherein further the said cryptogrammic stimuli is provided as a unique combination of aperture arrangements effected through the element substance. 
     
     
       4. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein each said first and second cryptogrammic code identity is produced through the combination of a plurality of arrangements for the element supported sensor station decipherable impressions, each of which serves to act upon an independent sensor element so as to produce electrical signals at the said processing logic means. 
     
     
       5. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein each said sensor station is arranged in a supportive structure so as to permit the student to view the said first and second symbolic stimuli concurrent with each of the said sensor stations effecting a conversion of the said first and second cryptogrammic code identity representations into corresponding first and second functional electrical signals. 
     
     
       6. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said sensor station means are each responsively operative to recognize the said first and said second cryptogrammic code identity as effectively separate binary signal patterns. 
     
     
       7. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said first and second cryptogrammic code identities are converted into effectively separate functional electrical signals through the use of photoreceptor means. 
     
     
       8. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein on each the said interrogative element means and the said responser element means the said first and second cryptogrammic code identity is effected so as to alternatively serve to interrupt and sustain the effective light path between a light source means and a cooperative photo receptor means provided in each said sensor station means in accordance with the predetermined said cryptogrammic code pattern. 
     
     
       9. Didactic means as in claim 8 wherein said photoreceptor is a solid state detector, while the said light source is a light emitting diode, thereby effecting a combination which responds separately with each indicia element of the said first and second cryptogrammic code identity so as to produce a parallel acting plurality of separate functional electrical signals having several distinct values, with each value indicative to the said processing logic means as to the binary value significance of the correspondent said indicia element. 
     
     
       10. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein each said first and second cryptogrammic code identity comprises a plurality of arrangements of apertures in the said element means through which the said sensor means may effectively respond. 
     
     
       11. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein said processing logic means includes memory means coupled with and coacting so as to store, and subsequently retrieve, the response determinations as resolved by the said processing logic means. 
     
     
       12. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said processing logic unit means includes a check logic strobe signal source selectively actuatable by the student and operative with the said functional electrical signals so as to substantially compare the said first cryptogrammic code identity with the said second cryptogrammic code identity, thereby effecting a check as to the correctness of his/her response when he/she is satisfied with the selection of one or more responser elements he/she has inserted into the machine's input sensor station means. 
     
     
       13. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said processing logic unit means includes a next problem entry reset signal which serves to advance the operative status of the apparatus combination inpreparation for the entry of the next of a series of problems in a problem set, wherein said reset signal is accomplished when all of the interrogative and responser element entries are effectively removed from the said sensor station means. 
     
     
       14. Didactic means of claim 1 including indication means wherein the relative number of correct and incorrect responses made by the student is exhibited on a numerical digital display. 
     
     
       15. Didactic means of claim 1 including indication means wherein sensory stimuli is provided which is effectively indicative of the student's response disparity. 
     
     
       16. Didactic means of claim 1 including indication means wherein percentage of correctness of the student's responses, upon completion of a particular problem set series, is exhibited on a numerical digital display. 
     
     
       17. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said processing logic unit means further provides for the successional trial answering of the problem for several times by the student, after which the "correct" answer is displayed if no correct answer is successfully entered by the student after the several allowed trials. 
     
     
       18. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein the said processing logic unit means further provides for the successional trial answering of the problem for several times by the student, and further where each trial answer attempt which is incorrectly entered for a given problem operates to effect a display means which serves to admonish the student's error through increasing reproof values. 
     
     
       19. Didactic means as in claim 1 wherein a confirmatory display means is provided which couples to the responser element sensor station means so as to provide a visual verification of the responser element entry into the coactive sensor station.